Plan and Prepare before the Disaster
Each year during natural or other disasters we hear of horses and those who care for them that are
caught up. It is hard to think well much less creatively about what to do with your horse in the face of
disaster. The situations are high stress and it is hard to make good decisions about the animals that
depend on you unless there is a clear plan. The plan needs identify the actions that have to be taken, it
has to be readily accessible to all and familiar to them if outcomes are going to be optimal.
Most county governments have disaster preparedness plans for animals as well as people. Here we will
assemble a series of What to do: Planning Ahead of a Disaster, At the Time of the Disaster and After the
Disaster. Informed actions before during and after a disaster could save your horse’s life and health.
Numerous horse organizations and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) have
thoughtful and concise plans.
The following approach to any type of disaster where horses are involved was prepared by Maryland
Department of Agriculture, Maryland Veterinary Medical Association, Maryland Emergency
Management Agency, Maryland Horse Council, Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, Maryland
Racing Commission and Maryland Jockey Club for ho
Plan Ahead Before a Disaster Occurs:
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Familiarize yourself with the types of disasters that can occur in your area and develop a plan of action to
deal with each type. Some disasters to consider are hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, severe
winter weather, fire, nuclear power plant accidents with release of radioactivity to the environment and
hazardous material spills.
Survey your property to find the best location to confine your animals in each type of disaster. Check for
alternate water sources in case power is lost and pumps and automatic waterers are not working after the
disaster.
If you think you might need to evacuate your horses from your property determine several locations the
animals could be taken, several routes to these locations and the entry requirements for each. Make
arrangements in advance with the owner/operators to accept your horses and be sure to contact them before
taking the horses there. Locations that could be used for evacuation are private stables, race tracks, fair
grounds, equestrian centers, private farms and humane societies.
Permanently identify each horse by tattoo, microchip, brand, tag, photograph (4 views-front, rear, left and
right side) and/or drawing. Record its age, sex, breed, and color with your record of this identification.
Keep this information with your important papers. If not identified at the time of the disaster in the above
manner, paint or etch hooves, use neck bands or paint telephone number on side of animal.
Be sure your horses' vaccination and medical records are written and up-to-date. As a minimum, each horse
should have a current Coggins test documented. Check with your veterinarian as to what immunizations are
advisable. Have documentation of any medicines with dosing instructions, special feeding instructions and
the name and phone number of the veterinarian who dispensed the drug.
Place a permanent tag with your name and phone number, and the horse's name on each animal's halter.
Consider in your plan the prioritizing of which animals will be saved, if all cannot be saved. Let all farm
personnel know of your plans in case you are not there when a disaster occurs.
Prepare an emergency kit consisting of:
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plastic trash barrel with lid
water bucket
leg wraps
fire resistant non nylon leads and halters
first aid items
portable radio and extra batteries
flashlight
sharp knife
wire cutters
tarpaulins
lime, bleach
Have trailers and vans maintained, full of gas and ready to move at all times. Acclimate your horse to
trailers and vans.
Remember during emergencies you are taking minimum actions to assure the animal's survival. Have
enough fresh water and hay on hand for 48-72 hours.
During disasters you may wear different or unusual clothing, so condition your horses to strange
appearances ahead of time.
Consider your insurance needs and be sure you have all the coverage on your property and animals you
may need and that claims will be paid for the type of disasters you may encounter.
PRACTICE YOUR PLAN.
At the Time of the Disaster:
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STAY CALM! FOLLOW YOUR PLAN!
Listen to the Emergency Broadcasting System (EBS) station on your portable radio for information about
how to locate horse care providers offering services during the disaster and any special instructions about
actions you should take to protect your animals.
If you leave your home, take your horses' immunizations and health records with you. Records kept at
home may be damaged during the disaster.
If you evacuate and take your horses with you, take all your immunization and health records, your
emergency kit and sufficient hay and water for a minimum 48 hour period. Call ahead, if possible, to make
sure that your emergency location is still available.
If you must leave your horses unattended at home, leave them in the area most appropriate for the type of
disaster you previously selected such as high ground in a flood. Leave enough water for the length of time
you expect to be gone. Do not trust automatic watering systems in case power is lost.
There are links from the AAEP for disaster planning for farms and horse owners
http://www.aaep.org/info/horse-health?publication=786
http://www.ready.gov/caring-animals
http://www.marylandhorseindustry.org/disaster.htm
http://www.midriversequine.com/news/86/disaster-responce-planning-for-horse-owners
Humane Society
http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/animal_rescue/tips/disaster_preparedness_horse.html
Farnam has a preparedness list http://farnamhorse.com/preparedness.php
http://www.discoverhorses.com/article/create-a-horse-disaster-plan
Fires (double check what is on the site abot this & refer or link to it)
Unfortunately, barn fires happen with some regularity and are the leading disaster for horse
owners. Barn fires spread swiftly, leaving little time to forge an escape. Following are tips for
horse owners:
Plan
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Develop an evacuation plan and make sure all employees and horse handlers are familiar
with it.
An important part of fire prevention is working with your local fire department. Offer the
local fire department a tour of your facility or property and ask them for suggestions or
improvements for fire protection.
Install a properly pressurized sprinkler system.
Install a fire detection system that can be heard from inside the house or one that directly
connects to 911 emergency operators.
Add lightning rods to the barn.
If you live in a wildlife area make sure you have a 50’ firebreak (a strip of plowed or
cleared land to stop a fire from spreading) around the barn.
Be aware that horses tend to run back into burning barns out of fear and confusion, as it is
their safe zone.
Familiarize your horse with emergency procedures and try to desensitize them to flashing
lights.
Prepare
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Keep aisles, stall doors, and barn doors free of debris and equipment.
Mount fire extinguishers at each entrance and around the stable.
Prepare a basic first aid kit that is portable and easily accessible.
Make arrangements with a friend or another horse owner to stable your horses if needed.
Make sure that the horses' halters and lead ropes are easily accessible, preferably hanging
on each horses’ stall.
Prevent
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Prohibit smoking in or around the barn. A discarded cigarette can ignite hay in seconds.
Inspect electrical systems regularly.
Keep the barn clean and free of dust, cobwebs, trash, oily tack or hoof cleaning rags, and
soiled paper towels.
Do not store bedding materials or hay in the horse barn.
After a fire, be sure to have all horses checked by a veterinarian. Do not assume that just because
the horse looks okay after a fire, that no damage has been done. Smoke inhalation can cause
serious lung damage and respiratory complications. Horses are prone to stress and may
experience colic after a fire.
Hurricanes/Floods/Wildfires
An imminent hurricane, flood or wildfire creates two major upheavals for horse owners:
mandated evacuation and immediate post-disaster property damage to horses’ homes (barns), as
well as power loss and unsafe road conditions prohibiting travel for food and/or medical
supplies.
Evacuations
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Pre-plan escape routes.
Discuss your escape plans with your veterinarian.
Leave 48 hours before the storm or fire arrives so you and your trailered horse are not
stuck in traffic.
Be aware that horse trailers get thrown around in high winds. It is recommended not to
trailer a horse after winds reach tropical storm force (40 mph).
Preparation for all scenarios
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Maintain horses’ encephalitis vaccinations every 6 months.
Always have proper animal identification that’s updated and easily accessible--which
includes:
o pictures
o brands or tattoos
o Microchip ID
o Fetlock ID bands
Create an emergency barn kit that includes:
o waterproof trunk
o thermometer
o bandages, scissors and gauze
o ointment
o radio, flashlight, and extra batteries
o poultice
o electrolytes
o fly spray
o halter and shank
o iodine, furicine, peroxide, and petroleum jelly
o Keep a 1-week supply of water and feed on hand in the event of post-disaster
inaccessibility
Noted disaster planner, woodsman and horseman, Eldon Reyer, (and maybe EMSA speaker) from New
Mexico has thought deeply and hard about what horse folks need to do for disaster planning. He is
particularly insightful about wild fires.
http://www.bchnm-santafe.org/Horse_owner_info.php
His Long range Disaster Planning pdf is in the library.
Some of the content is here:
Back Country Horsemen of America
Santa Fe Chapter of New Mexico, Inc.
Long Range Disaster Planning
1. Familiarize yourself with the types of disasters/emergencies that could occur in your area. Develop a
written plan of action for each. Review your plan regularly with everyone involved, including friends and
neighbors. Post emergency numbers in a visable location in in your stable or barn.
2. Survey your property for the best location for animal confinement for each type of disaster. Identify
food and water sources that do not reley on electricity.
3. Photograph left/right sides of each equine as well as face, medial, and lower legs. Have a photo of
your animal with you in the picture to help identify the animal as yours when picking it up from an
evacuation area.
4. Record its breed, sex and color and keep with important papers. You can permanently ID your equine
by tattoo, brand, or microchip. Temp ID by tags on the fetlocks and halters, painted on hooves, or
greasemarks/paint on hide.
5. Keep your horses' vaccinations up to date, dosages and types of medications the animal receives and
any dietary requirements. Keep copies of this with your important papers and with your Emergency
Plan.
6. Keep your horse trailer and towing vehicle insured, in good condition, and checked for safety. Keep
your towing vehicle's gas tank at least 1/2 full.
7. Make sure your equine will load! Your trailer/ someone's elses is useless if you cannot ger the horse
to load.
8. Keep hay and supplemental feed on hand. Consider keeping a tranquilizer on hand should a horse
become panicked during a crisis. Ask your Vet what is available and what you can administer.
9.Have an halter/ lead rope ready for each horse. Hand it outside the barn or stall.
10. Keep extra feed and buckets ready to go,
11. Have a Disaster Preparedness Kit ready, Talk with your vet about what to include in this.
12. Transport or prepare to transport your horse to a safe evac site. It is best to do this before an
emergency, even several days in advance-if possible. Do not wait to the last minute.
13. If unable to move your equines, make sure all preparations to keep them on the property are in
place and secure.
14. If you must leave your horses when you evacuate, make sure they are wearing halters with ID and
temp markings before turning loose.
15. In developing a personal emergency plan, the following info and suggestions are offered
A) Do not count on others to rescue your animals. B.) Have a pre-arranged place to take your horses.
C.) Plan alternate escape routes. D.) Fires driven by strong winds can jump roads. E.) Inform friends
and neighbors of your evac plans.
16. Have a "travel bag" ready at the barn door. Items should be, jacket, gloves, important papers,
knife, wire cutters, first aid kit, flashlight, Vick's Vapor Rub, and two way radio.
Evacuation
During a fire (and some other disasters) evacuation may be an option
IN CASE IF FIRE EVACUATION
During an emergency, such as fire or weather emergencies, the time you have to evacuate your horse
or horses will be limited. With an effective personal emergency plan coupled with predetermined
holding facilities, you may have enough time to move your horses to safety. If you are unprepared or
wait until the last minute to evacuate, emergency management officials may tell you that you must
leave your horses behind. Once you leave your property, you have no way of knowing how long you
will be kept out of the area. To avoid this sitaution, the following information and suggestions are
offered to help you plan for emergencies.
Do not count on others to rescue your animals. Being prepared for an emergenciy evacuation is
important for all animals, but it takes extra consideration for horses because of their size and
transportation needs. Horses may panic when they smell smoke. If you delay evacuation until danger
is imminent, you may not be able to control and load your horses.
HOW TO PREPARE:
1. Plan an escape route(s) for taking your equines to safety.
2. Make arrangements in advance to have your horses trailered in case of emergency.
3. IF you do not have a trailer or one large enough for all horses to be evacuated, arrange in advance for
help. Develop a community plan with call lists for assistance.
5. Inform neighbors and friends of your evac plans. Post detailed instructions in several places-including
the barn entrance-to ensure they are accessible to emergency workers in case you are not able to
evacuate your own animals.
6. Place your horses' papers in a watertight envelope or container and be ready to take it with you . It is
suggested you include veterinary papers, ID photos, vital info, medical history, allergies, feed type,
veterinarian, and family members with phone numbers.
7. Keep halters ready for your horse. Attach info directly to the halter. (plastic bag taped around halter
strap) The top of the halter is a good place. Use strapping tape, not scotch tape. Info inside bag should
include: Horse's name, Your name, contact info, ( cell or other numbers) vet's name and number, other
phone numbers where someone can be reached, and any feed or medication instructions.
8. Have a travel bag ready at the barn which can include water, hay, feed, and meds for several days for
each horse. ( a jar of Vic's Vapor Rub to put on nostrils can help if the horse is smelling smoke.)
and a small first aid kit
9. It is important that your horses are comfortable being loaded into a trailer. If yor horses are
unaccustomed to being loaded into a trailer, pratice the procedure so they become used to it. Rescuers
may not be able to take the time to load an unwilling horse. Leave loading instructions, ( such as if
one horse loads first. others will follow) if possible.
10. IF you must leave your horses when you evauate your property, make sure they are wearing halters
with ID and turn them loose.
Consultant: Eldon Reyer- Northern New Mexico Horseman's Association.
(505) 466-6280
http://www.horsethink.com/media/selfdefensepromo.wmv
Tornados
Tornado preparedness has a different set of considerations. Keeping horses and livestock safe during a
fast-moving storm has its own set of challenges. Residents of the mid-west and southeast tornados are
an annual occurrence. Areas prone to this type of disaster should consider the following.
The Horse Channel content is informative http://www.horsechannel.com/horse-news/2013/05/21tornado-preparedness-for-horse-owners.aspx
Tornado Preparedness for Horse Owners: Following some simple steps will help you be prepared in case
of a natural disaster.
Where to Ride out the Storm
The first question that arises when discussing how to keep horses safe in a tornado is whether it is
better to house them in the barn or to put them outside. There isn't a single right answer to this
question. Putting horses out in a large pasture will give them the opportunity to move out of the path of
the storm, an option that stabled horses don't have if the barn ends up in the path of a tornado. If you
have a large, open pasture available, this is generally the best option.
However, for horses who are not accustomed to staying in a large pasture, it may be preferable to keep
them in familiar surroundings to reduce anxiety. Furthermore, pastures with lots of trees or that are
surrounded by objects that could be picked up by a tornado and turned into flying debris may not be
safer than the barn.
Humans and pets should get out of the barn when a tornado warning is declared and into a basement or
an interior room on the lowest level of a building.
Planning Ahead
Although hurricanes, floods and nor'easters can be devastating, horse owners affected by those natural
disasters typically have some warning time to prepare. Tornadoes can appear with very little warning
and their paths are unpredictable. For this reason, evacuating horses isn't usually an option. However, if
you live in a tornado-prone area, there are still steps you can take to be prepared.
Before tornado season begins, find a friend with a horse property or a commercial facility that will take
on short-term boarders so that you will have somewhere to take your horse while you rebuild if your
barn is damaged in the storm. Ideally, this facility will be far enough away that it is unlikely to be
damaged in the same weather event, but close enough to be practical.
When a tornado warning is declared, put leather or breakaway halters or leather collars on every horse
at your facility, and make sure each one has your phone number on it. If your barn or fences are
damaged and your horses get loose, this will help increase the chances that they are returned to you
quickly. Alternatively, some owners will write their phone number on their horse's body with a grease
pen. Halters may break or fall off, and there is a risk of your horse getting his halter caught on something
and injuring himself, so using a different form of identification might be a better option.
After the Storm Passes
Once the tornado has passed, the risks are not yet over. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recommends checking reports from a weather radio or local broadcasts to ensure the risk of
tornadoes is over before you go outside to assess the damage. Here is the CDC's list of post-storm
reminders:
Keep away from downed power lines and report them to your utility company.
Stay out of damaged buildings and homes until local emergency management officials have
indicated it is safe to go inside them
If your home has not been damaged, keep children and pets inside, away from any damage or
debris outside. If you must take your pets outside, keep them on a leash to prevent them from
running away and being injured by debris.
If your home is without power, use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns rather than candles
to prevent accidental fires.
Cooperate fully with local public safety officials and respond to request for volunteer assistance
by police, firefighters and relief organizations, but do not enter damaged areas unless
specifically asked to do so.
If you suspect any damage to your home or barn, shut off electrical power, natural gas and
propane tanks to avoid fire, electrocution or explosions.
Wear sturdy shoes or boots, long sleeves and gloves whenever you handle, walk around or near
debris. Many of the injuries caused by tornadoes result from stepping on nails in and around
damaged homes and buildings.
Clean up any dangerous spills immediately, including medicines, bleaches, chemicals, gasoline or
other flammable liquids.
Further Reading
Horse Emergency Information
Staying Safe in a Tornado (from the CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/features/tornadosafety/
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/tornadoes/during.asp
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/tornadoes/
In an odd use of our ever present helmet
Helmet and Tornado Statement
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend, as its first
recommendation, that people in the path of a tornado find a shelter or a tornado-safe room. The safest
place in the home is the interior part of a basement. If possible, get under something sturdy such as a
heavy table or workbench. If outdoors, lie down in a gully or ditch.
We understand that people are looking for any useful and effective ways to protect themselves. We
don’t have research on the effectiveness of helmet use to prevent head injuries during a tornado, but
we do know that head injuries are common causes of death during tornadoes. CDC has long made the
recommendation that people try to protect their heads. Because the time to react may be very short, if
people choose to use helmets they should know where they are and have them readily accessible.
Looking for a helmet in the few seconds before a tornado hits may delay you getting safely to shelter. If
people choose to use helmets, these helmets should not be considered an alternative to seeking
appropriate shelter. Rather, helmets should be considered just one part of their overall home tornado
preparedness kit to avoid any delay.
CDC continues to promote protective measures for use during natural disasters including tornadoes.